The Grey-Bruce OPP are reminding everyone to be wary of scams during the ongoing Fraud Prevention Month.
That includes the ever-growing "Cottage Rental Scam" which can affect residents in particular in Grey-Bruce, which is in the heart of cottage country.
Many people are seeking cottages to rent as the nicer weather approaches. Many sites include photos of properties and prices for weekly or monthly rentals.
Scammers will use this to their advantage. The victim will be asked to pay a deposit or the rental fee in full via online banking to a specific location in advance of the rental period. When the renter shows up for their vacation, the cottage either does not exist at the address provided, or it is someone's home that was never available for rent.
This is a very hard scam to detect. The best tips include calling and speaking directly with someone if you can, preferably the owner. Ask to see the property ahead of time if possible and before any money is transferred. Also, ask for references from previous renters.
Most of the time, it is extremely difficult to recover money after it is paid out, if at all. If you or someone you know may have been the victim of a cottage rental scam, contact your local police service or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).